Wholesale Packaging Supplies for Small Businesses

As a small business owner, you’re probably on the hunt for wholesale packaging that suits your needs without costing a fortune. In this guide, we’ll chat about some common challenges that many small businesses face when looking for packaging and choosing a reliable supplier. We’ll explore these topics and share some fantastic cost-saving tips.

Packaging Predicaments: The Small Business Edition

Rising Packaging Costs

One of the big challenges small business owners are facing these days is the rising cost of packaging materials. This is happening for a bunch of reasons, like changes in raw material prices, more demand for packaging because of the e-commerce boom, and the extra costs of going green with sustainable packaging. 

As a small family-run business, we totally get the pinch too! Which is why we only tweak our prices when it’s absolutely necessary. We keep a close eye the market to make sure our prices stay competitive, and we love to lower unit costs whenever we can.

Managing Inventory & Lead Times

We understand small businesses often face storage constraints, and misjudging inventory needs can lead to either surplus stock or delays that result in dissatisfied customers.

To accommodate both small and large businesses, we offer different solutions. Small businesses can order in various pack sizes depending on storage limitations, while larger businesses can utilize our stock hold and inventory management services. Both options come with added benefits of super-fast, FREE, next-day delivery!

Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable packaging is essential, so focusing on reducing environmental impact with recyclable, biodegradable, or renewable materials for the right price can tricky – but it shouldn’t be;

We diligently seek out manufacturers who can provide the quality we require at a reasonable cost.

We also believe it’s important to clearly label our products online with information such as recycled content and best disposal methods, ensuring total transparency.

Damage During Transport

Its disheartening when products arrive damaged, leading to unusable inventory and unhappy customers. 

In most cases, this issue can be resolved by choosing the right size packing box with appropriate strength, along with eco-friendly wrapping and voidfill for fragile items. We also provide custom-made boxes designed to offer maximum protection during transit.

Increased Competition

Figuring out how to choose packaging that enhances the product, increases perceived value, and stands out in the market.

With over 40 years under our belt, we’re pretty savvy when it comes to packaging design. We stay on top of the latest printing trends to make sure we can perfectly match your vision and style.

Creating the Unforgettable “Unboxing Experience”

The unboxing experience is a key part of making your customers happy and keeping them loyal to your brand, as it can leave a memorable impression. You’ll find a lot of companies choose custom-made and branded packaging, which can be thoughtfully designed to create the perfect unboxing moment for any product. We thought it important to included some creative suggestions that small businesses can incorporate alongside off-the-shelf packaging to add a personal touch and delight their customers:

  1. Add some coloured tissue paper. This simple touch can really boost the presentation of your product, making it feel more like a special gift. Pick colours that match your brand’s palette to reinforce your brand identity and create a cohesive look.
  2. Pop a sticker on to seal a postal box or stick it inside with a message. A well-placed sticker can act as a seal of quality and authenticity. Think about using stickers with your logo or a catchy phrase that matches your brand’s voice. A personalized message inside can also add a warm touch, making customers feel valued and appreciated.
  3. Slip in a thank you card with a QR code that leads to a special offer, a personalised thank you video, or a survey to gather feedback. A thank you card is a simple yet effective way to show your gratitude to your customers. By including a QR code, you can engage customers further by directing them to exclusive content or offers, enhancing their overall experience and encouraging them to come back for more.

Related: How to Master the Unboxing Experience

Penny-Pinching Packaging Pointers for Savvy Small Business Owners

We know getting the right wholesale packaging for your small business is a big deal and can really make a difference in your brand’s success. Here are some handy tips to help you save money without skimping on quality. But before we jump into those, take a moment to understand your product’s specific needs, like its size, weight, and how fragile it is, as these will help you choose the right packaging materials. And don’t forget about the packaging’s appearance—make sure it reflects your brand’s vibe and resonates with your audience.

Samples

Evaluate sizes and materials before committing to a bulk purchase of boxes that may not be utilised.  You can order samples of all of packing boxes and other accessories before committing to wholesale quantities.

Bulk Buying

A simple way to save some cash is by purchasing packaging supplies in bulk at wholesale prices. Suppliers often give nice discounts for larger orders, which can add up to big savings over time. Just make sure you have enough storage space and avoid overstocking.  We offer different options with discounts for bulk buying from a bundle all the way up to a pallet.

Consolidate

To purchase in bulk, you might need to consolidate your packaging first by grouping similar-sized products together. This helps create a matrix for product and packing box combinations, ensuring the correct boxes are used for each product and prevents ordering excessive small quantities in different sizes.

Explore Alternative Materials

Investigate different packaging materials that could be more cost-effective. Determine whether a single wall box suffices instead of a double wall, or if a mailing bag could replace a box. Using lightweight materials can help reduce shipping costs too.

Related: Navigate Royal Mail Parcel Dimensions with Confidence

Go Green

While eco-friendly packaging might seem pricier at first, it can actually save you money in the long run. These materials often create less waste and can boost your brand’s image, attracting more customers and boosting sales.

Custom Solutions

Instead of sticking with standard packaging, why not explore custom packaging options that perfectly fit your product’s needs? This way, you can cut down on material waste and save money by avoiding oversized or unnecessary packaging. While there might be an initial cost for custom packaging, the long-term perks are definitely worth it, like reducing breakages and increasing brand recognition.

Regular Check-Ups

Give your packaging a little once-over from time to time, think about what we’ve discussed, and make any tweaks as needed.

If you need any more help or advice on finding your small business packaging, feel free to reach out to our team for a chat!